If you are planning to expand your company on an international basis, there are many things to think about. Corporate mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are highly complex and must be managed properly if you want them to be successful. If your M&A is international, then one of the things you have to consider is how you will cross the language barrier. Hence, it may be suitable to hire a legal translation team in order to make sure all documentation, existing and new, is properly translated into the languages of both the acquiring and acquired company.
There are many reasons as to why you may be considering an M&A. Often, it is because it may substantially increase your market power. Alternatively, it could increase your overall financial performance. Either way, however, you have to make sure every part of the process is covered properly. If you are acquiring a company that is located somewhere where the native language is not English, this could be a significant obstacle. Hence, you will need a proper, legal translation of any documentation and communication between the two companies. This is true at every part of the process: during negotiations, at the point of agreement and contract signing, and when new strategies are developed.
Choosing a Legal Translation Service
There are a couple of things to consider when it comes to choosing a legal translation service:
- They must be properly qualified and registered, so that their translations are not just of high quality, but that they are legally binding as well.
- The translation service must be well-versed with the different dialects and customs of the country the company is located in. Spanish, for instance, is spoken in both Mexico and Spain, but it is not exactly the same language. You need to make sure, therefore, that the company you work with understands things like syntax, cultural disparity, and more.
When you have a reliable legal translation service on board, your entire merger and acquisition will work better as well. This is because you will be sure that all communications are performed properly. You won’t have to worry about whether or not the other party has properly understood your proposals, or whether or not you have properly answered their questions.
Furthermore, having everything properly and legally translated means that you don’t have to worry about any loopholes in contracts. An M&A is a major undertaking and this means that every single word exchanged is important. Once a contract has been signed, it is legally binding, so if you then find out that there is a misunderstanding, or that something was ‘lost in translation’, you could have a real problem.
Do make sure that you only work with the best translation services, preferably those that are ISO 9001 certified. This ensures you that they are properly trained, and that they have the necessary qualifications. Furthermore, it makes sure that your translations will be completed on time, and in budget, every time.
